Police said Mays spent at least $80,000 on guns, electronics and other personal items -- all on the church's dime.

They said he began illegally using the credit cards in 2009 and didn't stop until he resigned last month.

"When a pastor is making statements to you on a Sunday about financial responsibility and things of that nature and he himself is doing that, it really hurts," said Bardstown Baptist Church attorney Jason Floyd.

Floyd said the allegations against Mays has devastated the congregation.

"He had been the pastor for eight years and had formed close relationships with many people there, and I am sure there were a number of people who did not want to believe this had occurred," said Floyd.

Police said Mays was essentially living off the church for four years, even using the credit cards to go out to eat.

Terry Geoghegan has spent 20 years prosecuting cases in Nelson LaRue and Hart counties. He called the case unusual.

"I can't say that we've seen a case that we've returned an indictment against a minister before that I can recall," said Geohegan.

Floyd said the investigation began after other church leaders noticed they were experiencing major money problems.

He said Mays primarily carried the credit cards. Now the church of 250 people is reeling financially and emotionally.

"Sometimes these types of things can cause such division that a church divides and the congregation goes elsewhere. That does not seem to have been the case at this point fortunately," said Floyd.

While they search for a new pastor, the church has removed Mays' picture from their website.

They also wrote this message, "Rev. Dylan Mays has resigned to pursue other opportunities. Please keep Dylan and the Mays family in your prayers."

"This was a man who was part of their family and he has a wife and children who the church members care about deeply," said Floyd.

Mays has not been arrested, and neighbors said they have not seen him at his home in the past few weeks.

He faces one count of theft by deception of more than $10,000 and one count of unlawful access to computer.

He will be arraigned on Dec. 5 and could face anywhere from five to 20 years in prison.

WLKY has learned Mays also coached cross country at Bardstown High School. He recently resigned from that position as well.

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